[OSGeo-Discuss] packaging FOSS GIS for Ubuntu in education

[Frank Warmerdam]

Folks,

I'm not sure I have a lot to add to this thread, but it is a topic close to
my heart, so I will chime in.

I think Venka's idea of a standalone CD set for OSGeo software packages
on Ubuntu is a great idea.  I especially appreciate the fact that it builds
on the existing great work of the DebianGIS team (ported to Ubuntu from the
Debian source packages as I understand).

I am sensitive to the issue that OSGeo can't very practically pick one
Linux distribution and ignore all the rest.  So I'm not sure that this
effort will be the ultimate solution to OSGeo software for Linux, but it
is practical and achievable in the short to medium term.  Delivering a
product CD based on Ubuntu builds on a popular distribution and is
particularly sympatico with the conference given the south african
origins of Ubuntu.

It seems to me there are a few angles on which we can work this topic.

1) rough out a plan of the sort of stack of software we want to offer,
potentially tied to the education material and use cases we are trying
to support.

2) Review what is missing from this in DebianGIS and try to find volunteers
to help the DebianGIS project package the appropriate software.  There is
a fair amount of expertise needed for Debian packaging (IMHO), but a few
volunteers willing to invest 30-50 hours over the coming 6-7 months could
make quite a difference.  But we need to realize DebianGIS is a well
established project with it's own culture and expectations and be prepared
to work within this.

It might be helpful for OSGeo to maintain a Debian system (as a VM or a
whole blade) to provide a working and testing environment for folks who
don't run Debian at home/work.

3) Find out what is needed to bring UbuntuGIS up to the appropriate packages.
I don't know what people are involved in UbuntuGIS or how they operate.  My
understanding is that for major new Ubuntu releases the UbuntuGIS packages
are built from the DebianGIS source packages.

4) Putting this together on CD/DVD is where the rubber hits the road.  It
would be great if Venka can lead this aspect, but I'm sure he would
appreciate help.  There is no reason that a first draft of this can't
be prepared based on existing packages.

One cool things is that Debian, and regular network based Ubuntu uses also
all benefit from the upstream efforts.  I love this sort of leverage!

--

I'm not sure what OSGeo can do to facilitate this activity.  We obviously
can't direct volunteers, only encourage them.  We don't have funding
targeted for such an effort.  However, if a modest amount of money
could make a big difference I might be able to scare some up.

I'm confident we can provide mailing lists, wiki space, server space,
and bandwidth if these are helpful.

I have cc:ed Frankie, the DebianGIS lead, in the hopes he could comment
on how we can help support the DebianGIS effort.

Best regards,
-- 
---------------------------------------+--------------------------------------
I set the clouds in motion - turn up   | Frank Warmerdam, warmerdam at pobox.com
light and sound - activate the windows | http://pobox.com/~warmerdam
and watch the world go round - Rush    | President OSGeo, http://osgeo.org